Manatee Springs: Headspring

A shallow spring basin drops down to 35′, with a long shallow spring run that stretches out to the Suwannee River. This is the headspring for Manatee Springs, and the outlet of a miles-long underwater cave system. Manatees often enter the spring run in winter. Divers can explore the strong flow discharging from two spring vents; the flow is strong enough to propel divers rapidly out and up if not hanging onto a nearby tree branch. The strong outflow also creates a downstream current in the spring run flowing towards the river.

🎥 How to Dive Manatee in 60 Seconds

Access: 5-minute walk from parking lot, across grassy fields and paths. Walking from the parking lot, the headspring is to your left; Catfish Hotel is to your right.

Hours: Check state park website

Admission: Pay at Manatee Springs State Park ranger station on entry. Divers self-register at diver registration station on the right, immediately after ranger station.

Parking: Plentiful. Try to park on far end of parking lot, closest to the grassy fields.

Gear up: At your car or on picnic tables/pavilions. Because of the longish walk, it’s often easiest to partially assemble gear at vehicle and walk it over to a prep/staging area. 

Conditions: Strong flow from two spring vents in basin; max depth 35’. Strong flow in shallow spring run. 

Cave/cavern: No

Cautions: Rarely (if ever) floods; good choice if other sites are browned out. Manatees enter in winter; if manatees are present, divers will be asked to exit the water. Check state park website for closures.

Tips: It’s a short walk over to neighboring Catfish Hotel. Many divers follow a dive in Catfish Hotel with a quick dip in the headspring to rinse their gear of duckweed. Fanning is a short 20-min drive up the road, and offers another nice shallow dive.

Nearest dive shop: None! Bring gear/tanks from home and do not count on air fills.

Food: Concessions on site in summer; excellent place to grill, with covered pavilions. Suwannee Belle Landing in Old Town (20 min).  

Hot showers: No

Rinse station: Yes

Toilets: Yes

Changing area: Yes; indoors